A man in his late 60s to early 70s was critically injured after being rescued from a burning house on the southeast side of Indianapolis, officials reported. Firefighters were called to the 1600 block of E. Kelly Street around 8:15 a.m. today, where they encountered a single-story home engulfed with heavy flames, particularly notable at the back of the dwelling, as per information obtained by FOX59. The Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD), along with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and other emergency services, quickly responded to the scene after getting multiple emergency calls.

The severity of the smoke and fire forced the bystanders, two women, to desperately try to communicate and save the trapped man by breaking windows, actions that caused them minor injuries. "They noticed the fire and began breaking windows to alert the man inside," the IFD described, according to a statement provided to FOX59.

These women received treatment for minor lacerations to their hands but were fortunate to be declared "otherwise OK," according to WISH-TV.

The IFD firefighters managed to enter the home and quickly get the man out through a side window. "He was barely conscious when crews found him," said IFD, as echoed by FOX59.

The man reportedly had lived in the home for 30 years and was immediately provided medical care which led him to become "slightly more alert" once outside the burning structure, as reported by WRTV.

Following the rescue, the man was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. Despite the incidence of the fire, IFD confirmed that the residence did not have any working smoke alarms, which may have significantly delayed the detection of the danger. The firefighters have not determined the cause of the fire, and said investigation remains ongoing.